Dactylies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A metrical foot in poetry consisting of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables; a pattern used in classical verse to create rhythm and cadence; plural form referencing multiple occurrences of this rhythmic unit
2. A poetic unit made up of a strong beat followed by two lighter beats; a rhythmic sequence commonly employed in ancient and modern poetry; refers to several of these units when used in multiples
3. A three-syllable poetic measure with emphasis on the first syllable and less stress on the next two; traditionally utilized to impart a flowing beat to verses; denotes more than one of such feet in poetry composition

Etymology: Ancient Greek poets were hearing fingers in their verse. "Daktylos" meant "finger," and the metrical unit took that name because one long syllable is followed by two short ones, which resembles a finger's jointed bones. The explanation is common, though it describes the rhythm's shape rather than a detail the Greeks recorded about their own reasoning. The word reached English through Latin "dactylus," which was itself borrowed from Greek. "Dactylies" is an unusual plural. Most writers use "dactyls," and the adjective "dactylic" is far more common than either.

Synonyms: dates, date fruits